Folding umbrella.



No. 864,945. PATENTED SEPT. s, 190?. T. F. BIGELOW. FOLDING UMBRELLA.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

t] .lli'i lthll) STAT PATEN T OFFICE. I

TlHEOThDRE F. BIGELOW, OF Alt'i'SlERDAllI, NEW YORK.

. FOLDING UMBRELLA.

his. season Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3. 1907.

lipplication tile/1 November 21, 1906. Serial No. 344,491.

My invention relutcs to improvements in knock down or folding umbrellas oil that class in which the ribs, braces and handle are composed ol slidably engngcd sections.

Th object of the invention is to provide an umof some other polygonal shape so that said sections cannot turn or shift axially upon each other. The handle sections are adapted to telescope one within the other, as shown in l ig. 3, when the umbrella frame is collapsed, and they are held in their extended positions when the umbrella is opened, as shown in Fig. 1, by means of springcatches 7, such as the one shown in Fig. 15. This spring catch comprises a button or stud brella'ol this character which will be simple in construction strong and durable in use, and very convenient and easy to operate.

Further objccts and advantages of the invention, as

well as the strlu-tuml ientiurcs by means of which these objects are attained, will be made clear by an examination of the following spccilication, taken in connection with the accom mnyii 'drawings, in which Figure l is a side elm t, ribs and one of the braces of my improved umln'ella, showing them in thcir extended or opened positions; Fig 2 is a similar view showing the rib and braces in their closcd or folded positions .l ig. cl is a similar view showing said parts loldcd or collapsed; Fig. .1- is a cross sectional view through one of the sections of the handle; Figs. 5 and (i are etni] views showing the manner in which the upper ends of the ribs are connected to the handle; Figs. 7, 8 and SJ are detail views showing between two adjacent sections of one one of the job of the ribs; l it) and .1]. are detail views showing the joint or conuoctitm between one of the ribs and its brace; Figs. 12 and .lil are detail views of the spring catch upon one oi the braces; Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional vicw through one oi the braces showing the manner in which its two sections are slidably engaged and also showing the manner in which the sections of one ol the ril .iold within the sections 01' its brace; Fig. a detail longitudinal section through a portion of the handle showing one of its spring catches; l igs. lti and 17 are detail views of the sliding sleeve amlnotchod ring to which the inner ends of the braces are connected; and l ig. h is a detail view of the tip of one of the ribs. i

In the present embodiment of my invention, the handle 1 is composed ol' live similar tubular sections 2, each of the ribs It is composed oi tour similar sections 4, and each of the braces 5 composed of two similar sections 6; but it will be understood that each of these parts may consist of a greater or less number of sections. While l have shown in the drawings the handle sections 2 in the lorm oi telescoping tubes of circular shape in cross-section, I preferably make them of octagonal shape in cross-section, as shown in Fig; 1, or

ion of the handle, one of the 8 upon one end of a leaf spring '9 which has its other end soldered or otherwise secured at 10 Within one of the handle sections. The button 8 is adapted to be projected by the spring through alining apertures ll formed in the adjacent handle sections so as to prevent one from sliding upon or telescoping the other: The outer end of the button 8 is tapered or cone-shaped, as shown at 12, so that when it is pressed inwardly to a slight extent and the two handle sections are pushed together, the telescoping movement of one of the sections will force the button entirely within the other, thus permitting the handle sections to readily telescope.

In the outer end of the largest handle section 2 is provided a suitable knob or hand-grip 13 and in the cone sponding end of the smallest section 2 is provided a knob button or other device 14 which may sei e as a hand piece.

The rib sections 4 are also of tubular form and preferably of horseshoe shape in cross-section with longitudinal openings in their bottom faces. These sections 4 telescope onewithin the other when the umbrella frame is collapsed and when it isopened or extended the ribs are prevented from telescoping each other by providing them with lock joints 15, similar to the one shown in, Figs. 7, 8 and 9. This joint comprises a notch or seat 16 stamped in one end of one of the rib sections and adapted to receive the adjacent end of the other rib section. 011 said end of the latter are formed laterally projecting cars 17 adapted to engage a cross-piece 18 upon the other rib section, so as to prevent the two rib sections from being entirely separated. The ears 17 are adapted to project through and slide in the longitudinal openings or slots in the rib sections when the latter have their axes in longitu- (linnl alineznent, or in a position to permit them to tele scope within each other. When the rib sections are pulled out 01' each other they assume a slight angular position With respect to each other so that one end of each. of them drops into the notch or seat 16 in one end of its adjacent section, as will be readily understood upon reference to Figs. 1, 7 and '8 of the drawings.

in the outer end of the smallest 0r outermost rib section 4 is provided a cross-piece or tip 20 and the inner end of the largest and innermost rib section formed witha reduced apertured lug or eye 21 by means of which it is pivoted in a notched disk or head 22 fixed upon the upper or outer end of the smallest handle secceive the rib sections a (as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 14) when the umbrella frame is closed and folded. The edges of the inner section oi each brace are bent inwardly, as shown at 26, aroundthe. edges of the outer section, so as to guide said sections in their sliding or telescoping movement. The sections of the brace are held in their extended positions by a spring catch 27, which isclearly shown in'Figs. 12 and 13, and which is similar in construction to the spring catches 7 pre viously described. The outer end of the outer brace 'section 6 has a sliding pivotal connection with its rib through the instrumentality of a substantially U- shaped'wire loop bail 28. This loop or strap is adapted to surround and slide upon the rib and hasits ends 29 bent outwardly and pivoted in apertures'30. formed in the beveled end of said brace section. *The latter is prevented from sliding off oi the second section of the rib by a strap 31 fixed upon said section, as clearly shown in Fig. 10. Theinner end of the inner brace section 6 is formed with an apertured ear "or eye 32 H which is pivoted in one ofthe notches 33 of a ring or disk 34 provided upon a collar or sleeve 35 which is rno d up and down upon the handlein opening and closing the umbrella frame. The ring 341has an enlarged upper portion formed in its-outer edge withcurved notchesor recesses 36 which'arc adapted to receive the brace sections and which communicate with 'said notches 33, the latter being formed in the lower reduced portionoi said ring 34. This lower reduced portionof the ring isiorrned in its periphery with an annular groove which intersects the notches 33and is adapted to receive the pivot wire 37 which passes through the ears 32, as will be readily understood 7 upon reference to Figs. 16 and 17.

i In the sleeve 35 is termed an aperture adapted to receive spring catches or buttons on the handle. When the umbrella is opened, as shown in Fig. 1, the sleeve 35 fits on a fixed collaror sleeve 39 upon the upper end oithe second handle section, and its aperture 38 is adapted toreceive the uppermost spring catch or button 7 on the handle so that the umbrella will be held in this open position. When the umbrella is closed, as shown injFig. 2, the aperture 38 in the sleeve 35 receivres the spring catch or button 7 which locks the foin' th and fifth handle sections in their-extended positions. Whenthe umbrella is entirely col.-

lapsed, as shown in Fig. 3,'said aperture in the sleeve 35 is adapted to receive'afbutton 40 located in the fifth handle section adjacent to the hand piece 13. This button 40 is similar to the button 7.

When the umbrella is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the two outermost rib sections 4 lie within the brace sections 6 and the extreme, outer end of the outermost z rib ac 'tion 4 projects beyond the beveled inner end of th I inner brace, section 6 and through one of the recesses or notches 6 in the ring 34 so that the tip 20 upon said rib secti'onengages the bottom face of said Y the ribs will be pulled out or extended simultaneously with the extension of the handle.

In order to-retain the ribs 4 in the notches 36 and the tips 20 in engagement; with the ring 34, when the unibrella frame is being extended or collapsed; I preferably mount upon the fifth handle section a cupshaped ll. The latter is adapted to slide longitudinally on said handle section so that it may be moved over the lower end oi the sleeve 35 and thus surround the tips 20 and hold them in engagement with the ring 34, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The umbrella frame may be provided with a covering oiany description which is attached to the outer ends or tips of the ribs and to the upper or outer end of the handle, so that when the frame is collapsed the coverpositions shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2, the

"ture 38 in the sleeve 35 The-latter may then he slid downwardly upon'the handle. until it telescopes the V 38 receives the lowermost catch 7. In this connection it will be'noted that the intermediate spring catches 7 nray be located out of longitudinal alinenient with the two -endrnost spring catches, if desired. When the sleeve 35 is thus moved, the braces 5 will draw the ribs together and into a parallel position with respect to both the handle and the braces, the sections 6 of the latter receiving/the two outermost rib sections 4, as above stated; "When it is desired to collapse the frame. as shown Fig. the lowermost catch 7 is pressed inwardly to release the three parts which it connects, namely, the-fourth and fifth handle sections and the into the fourth one and the aperture 38 in the sleeve 35 receives the catch 40. At the same time the cupshaped disk 41 surrounds the sleeve 35 and the tips.20 oi the'ribs and holds both the ribs and the braces in parallel relation with respect to each other and the handle. The inner sections of the braces 6 are then pressed against the fourth handle section so that the which unites the third and fourth handle sections, will be pressed inwardly to release the parts which they 'unite or lock together. -Wh'cn said catches are thus released the handle section 4 may telescope the handle section 3 and the inner sectionsd oi the braces may telescope the outer sections of the same. done, the outermost sections 4 of the ribs will telescope the neict adjacent sections. In a similar manner the remaining sections oithe-handle are successively collapsed by pressing the braces against the handle so that which they unite to be telescoped.

When it is desired to extend the umbrella frame from its position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 2 the handle 14 is grasped in one hand and the handle 13 and ing may be folded or twisted around it and'thus prouppermost spring C2ttCll 7 is pressed into the handle sufficientlyto'disengageitspointed end from theaper- I upper end of the fifth handle section and its aperture spring catches 27 in said braces and the spring catch 7 p the spring catches 7 are released to permit the sections sleeve 35. The fifth handle section is then telescoped 126 As this is' ring 34 ill the other hand. and the parts are then pulled apart. Owing l'llls l with the it \\'ill ill seen that; the latter draw out or extend llle rihs Will-ll the handle and lll'al-l are extended. lllving lo the pol vgonal rros'seetional shape ol the lllllllllt"M'l'llllllfi. the ("l.tl1('S 7 \\'ill spring into their respeelive openings ii and thus prevent the handle set-l ions l'i'onl lleing pulled to the engagement ol the lips 20 ol' the lower lave ol' llll ring entirely apart.

Having lihns (llt-(llll((l my invention. what 1. An ltlllllltll l ol' the ellaraeter desel'ihed having slidahly engaged handle s-lions. slidallly en aged rih see lions, slidal iy engaged I. are sertions. the serliolis ol said handllk rihs alid hrares lleiilg l'oldahle to positions in par allel relation to eaeh olher. a slidahle ring iipoll the handle sertions l'ornled in iis periphery \viih receive the ends ol' the onlel-lllosl rih seeiions. the l'ross )Hles L'llnpon the lips of said literlnasl rih serlions said eross pieres heinguol: ater length than the width f the nolelles ill (1 ring and heing adapted to engage the hot loin l'aee ol lid ring. aild a cup shap d disk slidallle upon one of tile handle serliolis and adapted to rlose the rross pieres L'l to hold the laller lll engagement with the holloni lal-e oi the llllll'lllll ring. \vherelly llle slidallly engaged serlioils ol' the handle. hraees and i'ihs illay he simultaneously extended. silhs .llllially as do sl'rilleil. I

L. .\n nnlhrella ol' the ('li2ll"t'|ll ilesrvillell. havi handll lioniposed ol' telescoping, .slllllllls. i'ills pivolell at their upper e ids to the uppermost handle section and (NIH- posed ol' l'eleseopillg sol-lions. ei'oss pieees npoil the lips ol' said rills. a nolrhed ring slidallle ilpon said handle seetions. hraees pivoted to s d nolrhed ring and eoinpdsed ol' lella 'eopillg st lions. \virehails upon the outer ends ol' said lwaees and slidaldy engaged with said rills. and a ellpshaped dist: upon the lllWMXIIHSl' handle hll'llllll adapted to hold the (lo s pieces on the lips of d rills iil engage meal with said notehed ring. \vherelly llle eetions of the handle. hraees and rills may he sinlullallolisly extended. .snllslantially as shown and deserihed.

Cl. Ail umbrella of the eharaeler lh-srrilied having a sew lional handle. seeliollal rihs a slidin sleeve on the han- (lie, hraees eon, isling ol' slidalliy engaged seelions. eali'lles for holding the serlloils ol' said hraees in llieir extended position. pivotal eonnei-lioils between the inner ends of the lllilllhs and said sleeve and sliding and pivotal ('onneet'ions helween the outer ends ol' the hral'es and said rihs.

t. All iiillllrella ol' the ehai aeler desel'ihed having its handle, rihs and llraees i-oillposed ol' slidahly engaged seelions l'oldallle to positions iil parallel relation to each other. means upon said handle for reeeiving and holding the iihs \vhell iil pa 'llltl relation therewith. spring catrhes arranged lipon the handle for loeliin 'ts seelions extended. said ealehes having pl'ojeetlilg' portions adapted to he en- 1; d and operated hy the llraees when the latter are messed inwardly against the handle. alld spring eatelles ilpoll the llralzes f r holding their seetions extended. lln. last nlelilioned eatclles being arranged upon the inner laees ill the llral-es and having projeeling portions adapted to engi llle handle and to he :lelnaled tllerehy when the .nolelles adapted lo engage and in llllllrllllil ol the rlll-lraeler desl-rihed having its rill and Ill-ares eonlposel l ol' slidahly enallged serl'oldahle to ill parallel relation to each other. a noll-lled ring upon said handle to guide said braces and l'ills .\lll-ll in sillh parallel position a l'llp-shapl-d disk -lid.:llle ilpoil said handle and adapted to en; lge llle tips ol' llle rihs \\'|ll'll said pails are en; d with said nol'ehed llllll. and spring ealeh'es upon said lli'aees and lid handle ior holding 'lllll! in evlended positions. said rail-hes lieii arranged upon the opposing t'aees ol the handle and llrares \vherehy llley yvill he released when the l ariprl sed againsl the handle. substantially as shown and deserilied.

ll. .\l! iilllllrella of lhe rharal'ler deserilled having slidil l l on; d handle set-lions l'orllled \vilh apertures n'iag valrhes l r h lding said seelions exleniled. said llllllitfi eolisislillg ol' spring. arran ed \\ithin the handle seeli lls and earryiilu radially projeeling slnds adapted l0 pl' i,c'i lhron h l e apertures in the handle sol-lions and l'orllled \villi ll'iltl onlrl ends 'llll'll latter lllll ltl'i lleyond lhe older laees ol' ihe handle sl-elions. and hraees adapted to he pre sed "iillsl aid projeelin: ends oi the studs to more llle (all-he to their released posiiionv silhst'anlially as lll-serihed.

.\n nnlllrella of the tlllil'ill'll'l desel'ihed Comprising a handle. rills. loaves t'l\\'ll'll spill handle aild ribs and eonlposed ol' slidahly en Jed serllons. aild fastening lo viees llpoll s lr holding lile' l'lions extended. said l'aslening lll\l('l. having lil\\:ll'lll projei-ling portions adaptl d to on e ille handle and to he lhere ly illoved to released pos inn when said llral'es are pressed inwardly insi said handlev silhslanlially as desrrihed. i

l. .\n ulllhrella oi the ehzlraeter deserihed. eoniprising a handle. l'lll\. hraees between said 1: ndle aild rihs and ruinposed ol' slidahly tli ed ertions, and ealelles upon said hi l'oi holding their s eii-ons extended. and mill-hes lla\ n portions projerlin g' laterally lleyond the outer stir hi'arl for holding their sol-lions extended. said erlll'hes lining adapted to he moved into the ln'a es lo released pe silions when pressed against said handle. snhslailtially as desrrilled.

ll. ill a l'olding lniillrella. a rih eoilipos d oi leleseopiilg sections having loiigiliidinally extending slits. one ol said sol-lions having the seal it; stalllped in it and the cross pierl l closing l h slit adjarent to said seal. and the other seelion lleing .ilapied to enter d seat and having llle stop 17 lo eilg ge lhe eross piece or stop in. snlistair tially as de. 'ihed.

]l). in a folding iinllll'ella, a rih composed of slirlahly engag-ed sex-lions, a llraee ol' suhslanlially U'sliape ill erosssel-lion having its open side lnrned outwardly lo permit the seetions of said rill to mid inlo iv, a U-shaped hail piv' oled lipoll llle miter end o[ said hl'aee aild surrounding said rih for sliding movement thereon, and a hand snrronnding one 01' the rih seelioils to serve as a sliop to limit the sliding illovenlent oL' the brace upon said rih section, sill) slantiallv as described.

positions seel ions 'd hraees 

